Straw-stacker



(No Model.) 5 Sheets--Sl1-eetl P. P. LANDIS. STRAW STAGKER.

No. 537,690. Patented Apr. 16,7%1895.

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No. 537,690. Patented Apr. 16, 1895.

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P. F. LANDIS. STRAW STAGKER.

Patented Apr. 16, 1895.

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ATTORNEY.

FRANK F. LANDIS, OF VAYNESBOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

ST RAW-STACKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,6 90, dated April 16, 1895. Application fneaiiovemter 8.1894. seria No. 528,204. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK F. LAND1s,a citi` i full, clear, and exact description of the inven? tion, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to straw stackers in which the straw is elevated by'means of centrifugal force accompanied by a current of air; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure lis aside view of a pneumatic straw stacker constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the discharge pipe and the means for supporting and operating it. This view is drawn i, upon two sheets as it could not be placed upon a single sheet and be clear. Fig. 3 is a side view of a portion of the deflector pipe showing it in astraight position. Fig. 4 is a part cross-section of the deilector pipe, taken on the line :1: in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a part of one of the series of springs, for operating the segments of the deflector pipe, when made in a single piece. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the standard for supporting the discharge pipe. Fig. 7 is a rear view of the top of the said standard showing a modification in the arrangement of the rope sheaves. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the mechanism for oscillating the discharge pipe. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional plan of the straw chamber and the discharger casing, showing the mechanism for feeding the straw to the discharger. Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 9 but shows a modification in the form of the feed mechanism. Fig ll is a side view showing a modification of the deflector pipe.

A is the end portion of the casing of a4 thrashing machine or separator which may be of any approved construction adapted to separate the grain from the straw and to discharge the straw at the rear end of the machine.

B is the straw chamber, at the rear end of the thrashing machine, for receiving the straw and chad from the separating mechanism.

B is the discharger casing secured outside the casing Aat one end of the chamber B. This discharger casing is preferably provided with a conical throat piece b.

C is the discharger shaft journaled in bearings C, secured to the casings A and B, and provided with abelt pulley c for revolving it. The direction of revolution is indicated by arrows in the drawings.

D is the discharger secured upon the shaft C inside the casing B. This discharger consists essentially of a disk provided with arms. The discharger is laterally movable and operates to catch the straw and forcibly project it` up the delivery pipe d, as fully described in the Patent No. 512,553, issued to me on January 9, 1894.. In carrying out the present invention the discharger may be constructed in various forms.

The discharger is not a simple blast fan l which produces a current of air, as such a fan would become choked by the straw, but it is a device specially constructed for operating positively upon the straw and iiinging it up the delivery pipe. The discharger produces a blast of air as well, and the blast of air as` sists in keeping the straw in motion in the discharge pipe and packs it downward on the stack. v y

The straw is fed from the straw chamber to the discharger by means of one or more spiral blades E, which are secured to the discharger and its shaft and revolve with'them'.

Two blades E are preferably used. In a sim-r work without them.

In the form of the feed device shown in Fig. 9 each blade is bent to form a series of spirals which gradually increase in pitch, the

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pitch being greatest at the end next to the discharger. The spiral ribs E', when used,

are preferably arranged so as to be substane' tially at right angles to the parts of the spiral blades adjacent to them,to avoid all shearing action which tends to break the straw. The straw which falls into the end of the straw chamber farthest from the discharger is revolved by the spiral blades and is propelled toward the discharger with constantly increasing velocity, its progress being assisted by the spiral ribs and the current of air drawn in b v the discharger.

When the blades are bent to form a series of spirals, a series of arms is preferablyprovided to support them and keep them from becoming bent out of shape. When the spiral blades increase in pitch toward the discharger, the spiral ribs decrease in pitch as shown in Fig. 9. The motion of the spiral blades where distant from the discharger tends chiefly to propel the straw toward the discharger and imparts but little revolving or whirling motion to it, so that there is no power wasted in whirling the straw around, and the straw is not broken. The motion of the spiral blades near the discharger tends to whirl around the straw rapidly and to propel it through the throat piece into the discharger casing.

In order that the blades may whirl around the straw at the entrance to the discharger ca sing, the ends SO of the blades adjacent to the discharger are arranged substantially radial to, and in the same plane with, the axis of the shaft C, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The delivery pipe d extends vertically to the top of the machine casing A, and has a flexible junction pipe d journaledon its end and joining it to the discharge pipe F.

The flexible junction pipe d is constructed so as to permit the discharge pipe F to be moved about freely in a vertical plane. It

ymay be made in any manner that will permit it to accomplish its purpose, but it is preferably constructed as shown and described in the Patent No. 514,266, issued to me on February 6, 1894.

vIn carrying out the present invention the discharge pipe need not be made extensible, but when an extensible discharge pipe is required the same is preferably made of two sections of which the upper section F slides telescopically over the lower section F.

G is a circular bracket secured to the top of the machine casingA concentric with the delivery pipe d, and G is a removable ring secured to the top of the said bracket.

H is the cylindrical base of the standard H for supporting the discharge pipe. This base is provided with a flange h, and two series of balls gare provided and arranged between the said tiange and the bracket G and ring G. The flange h comes between the two series of balls, and the balls are arranged to turn freely so that the base H may be revolved in either direction in the bracket G with the least possible friction. In carrying out this invention however, the base H may be journaled in the support in any other manner that will permit 'it to turn freely.

The sides of the standard H consist ot' two bars I which preferably have their lower ends pivoted tothe lugs hof the base H by means of the pins t', so that the standard can be folded over in shipping the thrashing machine. I are the stays which support the bars l. These stays preferably consist of one or more chains attached to the upper part of the bars I and to a lug i on the rear part of the base H.

J is a ring secured to the discharge pipe F and provided with rearwardly-extending arms j, which are pivoted to the said lugs h by the said pins t, so that the ang-le of the discharge pipe may be varied.

The angle of the discharge pipe is changed and varied by means of the winch J which is secured tothe standard H', and a cord j connected to the said winch and to the upper part of the discharge pipe.

Vhen the discharge pipe is extensible, the upper pipe section F slides through a ring K, and 7e are longitudinally-arranged bars secured to the rings K and J. The said rings are preferably provided with lugs 7e for the attachment of the bars k, which may conveniently be formed of wood, Vor metal tubes may be used if preferred. Four bars 7c arranged equidistant from each other are found to work well, but the number of the bars may be increased or diminished it' desired.

The ring K has abracket 2 on its upper side, and 3 and 4 are two sheaves journaled on the pin 5 in the said bracket.

A bracket 6 is secured to the upper side of the lower end of the pipe section F', and 7 is a sheave journaled inthe said bracket on the in 8. p A bracket 9 is secured to the upper end of the pipe section F', and 10 is a sheave journaled in the bracket 9 on the pin 11.

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Two sheaves 12 and 13 are journaled on a pin 14 at the top of the standard H and pret'- erably between the two bars I.

The cord j', or its equivalent, such as a wire rope or chain, is secured at one end to the lug 15 on the ring K. Thence it passes around the sheave 10 and downward over the sheave l2, from the under side of the sheave 12 tothe upper side of the sheave 3, from the under side of the sheave 3 around the sheave 7 to the under side of the sheave et, from the upper side of the sheave et over the sheave 13, and thence downward to the winch J, or other equivalent mechanism for winding up the cord, secured to the standard.

The telescopic sections of the discharge pipe remain in whatever position they areplaced, the upper pipe section being sustained by the friction of the various movable parts.

When the winch is revolved to wind up or to let out the cord, the angle of the pipe is changed, but the length of the pipe remains constant, as the cord merely turns all the sheaves except the sheave 10 and does not slide the pipe section F either in or out.

The pipe section F is slid in or out by pulling upon any one of the intermediate portions of the cord j. When this is done, all the sheaves are turned except vthe sheave 13. The angle of the pipe is not appreciably changed, and the winch remains stationary.

The pipe section F may be operated in other ways. For instance, the sheave 12 may be journaled on the pin 14 outside the bars l, as shown in Fig. 7. This sheave then has a crank handle 12 secured to it, andthe pipe section F is operated by revolvingr the crank handle l2.

M is the deflector pipe attached to the upper end of the discharge pipe. When the discharge pipe is not extensible any approved form of deflector or deflector pipe may be used. When the discharge pipe is extensible, the deliector pipe M is preferred because of the inconvenience in making the discharge pipe revoluble aswell as extensible. The deiector pipe M may also advantageously be used upon discharge pipes which are not extensible.

The defiector pipe M consists of a series of overlapping conical segments m, the lower end segment being secured to the discharge pipe. The segments m are operatively connected together by means of three or more straps m of flexible material. Four leather straps arranged equidistant from each other are preferred. Each strap is secured to all the segments by bolts or rivets at points where the segments never overlap, and the straps are made of a length sufficient to permit the segments to be bent over to the greatest requis ite curvature. Y

Eyes N are secured to the segments at intervals between the straps, and cords 'n are secured to the upper end segment and are passed through the said eyes. Four cords are preferably used and are arranged at the top and bottom and on each side of the pipe. The eyes N are preferably attached to each alternate segment, and the deflector pipe is moved sidewise or up or down by pulling and loosening the cords in an appropriate manner.

O are springs which operateto hold the deflector pipe in a straight position and in line with the discharge pipe when the cordsn are slack. These springs preferably consist of a to the pipe.

central loop, and arms having eyes at their ends encircling the shanks of the eyes N, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, but if desired the springs may be made continuous as shown in Fig. -5 which also shows the shape of the spring arms and loops before being attached When attached to the pipe, the

springs are under a tension sufficient to hold the segments thereof in a straight position.

If desired, the springs can be attached to each` segment instead of to each alternate segment. The springs then form the flexible connection between the segments, and the lstraps fm can be dispensed with, as shown in Fig. ll.

When the discharge pipe is extensible, the cords n are preferably'passed over sheaves 2O journaled on pins 21 projecting from lugs on the ring J, and are thence led through eyes 22 at the lower end of the pipe segment F', over they sheaves 23 journaled on pins 24 and carried by the ring K, and have their ends secured to the pins 25 near the eyes 22. This arrangement holds the cords n extended and in a convenient position to be operated, and the action of sliding the pipe section t has no effect on the length of the said cords.

Each cord fn. is provided with a retaining device for holding it when it has been pulled upon to bend the deliector pipe. A simple form of retaining device which may advantageously be used consists of a lever 2B pivotally supported by the ring J, and provided with a pivoted shoe 29. The pivot of the shoe is arranged a little to one side of a line drawn between the centers of the pivots of the lever and of the sheave, so that when the shoe is pressedagainst the cord by means of the lever, the friction between "the shoe and the cord assists in pressing the shoe against the cord and prevents the cord from slipping.

In carrying out this invention, the discharge pipe is made longer than shown in the drawings, and if desired it may be made with more than one sliding section; The dedector pipe can be raised to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 by pulling the top cord n. This is advantageous, as in topping off `a straw stack it is sometimes desirable to throw the straw upward.

In building a straw stack, the discharge pipe and its supporting standard may be oscillated by thetautomatic mechanism shown in 8'.

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Pis a belt pulley which i'srevolved constantly from any convenient shaft of the thrashing machine. The belt pulley P is secured on a shaft p which is journaled in a bracket P secured to the frame A of the machine. A beveled toothed wheel 30 is secured on theshaft p, and gears intothe two beveled toothed wheels 3l and 32 which are mounted on the shaft 33. The shaft 33 is journaled in the bracket P and has a double clutch jawq Y of the shaft 53 and gearing into a worm wheel 37 journaled on a vertical pin 38 projecting from the bracket P. A chain wheel 39 is secured to the worm wheel 87, by a pin 39 which is easily removed, and 40 is a drive chain which engages with the said chain wh eel and with sprockets 4l projecting from the cylindrical base I-I.

' The direction and amplitude of the oscillations are controlled by removable pins 42 inserted into holes 43 in the base I-I.

R isa bell-crank lever pivoted on the pin 44 projecting from the flange of the base I-I.

One arm of this lever is arranged in the path of the pins 42, and the other arm is provided with a blunt wedge-shaped head 45.

S is a lever pivoted on a pin s projecting from the bracket P. One end of this lever operates the double clutch jaw, and t is a rod pivoted to the other end of the lever S. A blunt wedge-shaped projection f is formed on the side of the rod t' and is arranged opposite the head 45 with the points of the wedges toward each other.

T are pins for limiting the movement of the bell-crank lever R, and 46 is a guide for the free end of the rod t. A spring 48 is provided for pressing the projection t against the head 45.

When one of the pins 42 strikes thebellcrank lever R, the head 45 pushes back the projectionf against the tension of the spring 48, and the apex of the head is moved to the other side of the apex of the projection. The spring 48 then presses the meeting flanks of the head and projection together, and this pressure causes the rod t to move longitudinally and to slide the double clutch jaw out of engagement with one single clutch jaw and into engagement with the other. The discharge pipe and its standard are oscillated continuously and the amplitude of the oscillations is regulated by placing the pins 42 in different holes of the base H.

It will be noticed that the sections of the discharge pipe are supported by the lifting cord near their upper ends Whether the upper section is extended or not, so that there is no tendency for the upper section to stick in sliding.

l. In a straw stacker, the combination, with a centrifugal discharger, of a feeding device comprising a spiral blade extending 1ongi tudinally of the straw chamber and secured to the discharger shaft, that portion of the blade next to the discharger being substantially radial to and inthe same plane with the axis of the said shaft, whereby the straw is revolved in the said chamber and propelled toward the discharger.

2. In a straw stacker, the combination, with a centrifugal discharger, of a feeding device comprising a spiral blade increasing in pitch as it approaches the discharger, the said blade being secured to the discharger shaft, extending longitudinally of the straw chamber, and that portion of the blade next to the discharger being substantially radial to and in the same plane With the axis of the said shaft, substantially as set forth.

3. In a straw stacker, the combination, with a centrifugal discharger, and its driving shaft; of a feeding device consisting of two spiral blades each supported at one end by the discharger, and an arm secured on the said shaft and supporting the other ends of the said blades, those portions of the blades next to the discharger being substantially radial to and in the same plane with the axis of the said shaft.

4. In a straw stacker, the combination, with a centrifugal discharger, and its driving shaft; of a straw chamber arranged substantially concentric with the said shaft and provided with spiral ribs; and spiral blades secu red to the said shaft and increasing in pitch as they approach the discharger, those portions of the blades next to the discharger being substantially radial toand in the same plane with the axis of its shaft, and the said ribs being arranged substantially at right angles to the parts of the said blades adjacent to them, substantially' as set forth.

5. In a straw stacker, the combination, with the delivery pipe, the flexible junction pipe, and the discharge pipe; of the rearwardly extending arms secured to the discharge pipe; a supporting standard having the said arms pivoted to it, and provided with a revoluble base portion encircling the said delivery pipe and having a projecting circular flange; a stationary circular support arranged concentric with the said base and its flange; and two series of anti-friction balls arranged above and below the said flange between the base and its stationary support, substantially as set forth.

6. In a straw stacker, the combination, with a supporting standard, of a discharge pipe formed of telescopic sections, the lower section being attached to the saidstandard,cord sheaves carried by the said pipe sections and standard, and a cord passed around the said sheaves and operating to slide the upper pipe section when pulled upon without altering the length of the cord, substantially as set forth.

7. In a straw stacker, the combination, with a supporting standard, of a discharge pipe formed of telescopic sections, the lower section being hinged to the said standard, cord sheaves carried by the pipe sections and standard, a cord passed around the said sheaves and operating to slide the upper pipe section when pulled upon Without altering the length of the cord, and winding mechanism for changing the length of the said cord and thereby varying the angle of the discharge pipe, substantially as set forth.

8. In a straw stacker, the combination, with asupporting standard, of the two rings J and K connected together, the lower ring J being attached to the standard; the lower pipe section F secured to the ring J, the upper pipe section F sliding through the ring K and over the pipe section F, and the cord sheaves and cord connected to the pipe sections and standard, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with a discharge pipe; of a deiiectorpipe secured to the end thereof and formed of conical segments, and springs connecting the said segments together, normally holding the defiector pipe straight and in line with the discharge pipe, and permitting it to be bent in any direction, substantially as set forth. t

l0. The combination, with a discharge pipe; of a deiector pipe secured to the end thereof and formed of conical segments, and springs connecting the said segments together and normally holding the delector pipe in line with the discharge pipe; eyes secured to the saidsegmentsand supporting the said springs; and cords secured to the end segments, passing through the said eyes, and affording means for bending the dedector pipe in an direction substantially as set forth.

ll. The combination, with a discharge pipe, of a deflector pipe secured to the end thereof and formed of articulated conical segments operatively connected together, and springs normally holding the defiector pipe straight and in line with the discharge pipe, and permitting it to be bent in any direction.

l2. The combination,with a discharge pipe formed in telescopic sections, of the rings J and K and the bars connecting them, the4 lower ring J being secured yto the lower pipe section; a deflector pipe formed of articulated conical segments operatively connected together and to the end of the upper pipe section; cord sheaves carried by the rings .I and K, cord guiding eyes, and the operating cords attached to the free end of the deflector pipe, passing through the said eyes and over the said sheaves and attached to' the lower end of the upper pipe section, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination, with a discharge pipe, of a deflector pipe formed of articulated conical segments operatively connected together and to the upper end of the discharge pipe, and springs normally holding the said segments extended and substantially in line with the discharge pipe; cord guiding eyes projecting from the delector pipe, cords secured to the free end of the delector pipe and passing through the said eyes, and clampingI devices for securing the said cords to the lower part of the discharge pipeafter the deflector pipe has been adjusted.

14. The combination, with a revoluble standard, and a straw stacker discharge pipe supported thereby; of driving mechanism for turning the said standard. and pipe, clutch mechanism for changing the direction omo` ton, a pivoted lever for operating the clutch mechanism, the rod pivoted to the said lever and provided with the projection t', a pivoted bellcrank lever provided with the head 45, stop pins for limiting the movements of the bell-crank lever, tappet pins projecting from the said standard and adapted to turn the bell-crank lever on its pivot, and a spring pressing the projection t against the head 45, whereby the said pipe is caused to oscillate, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I attix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK F. LANDIS. Witnesses:

GEo. H. RUSSELL, ALF. N. RUSSELL. 

